We were lucky to catch up with Dicey Grenor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dicey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Spicy Dicey Productions is a media and entertainment company that focuses on erotic, sci-fi, fantasy, horror books, podcasts, and TV/films. Naming the company was easy because I had already done the hard part of naming my author pseudonym over a decade ago–Dicey Grenor. Dicey is about being risky, unpredictable. Every story is a roll of the dice. I not only mix genres; I come up with quirky characters and outlandish plot lines that aren’t commonly used to keep readers (and future viewers) on their toes. Most of my stories also have a hardcore erotic element. Because I am known to write explicit scenes, one of my book fans dubbed me Spicy Dicey years ago, and it stuck. The rhyming “Spicy Dicey” just rolls off the tongue, giving people a snapshot of what they are going to get from me, and it’s a catchy, unforgettable name.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

How I got into the industry: I grew up a nerd, who loved to read and write. Wanting to write my own books was a natural progression. In 2009, I took the plunge into writing my first erotic story, SHAMEFUL (taboo), so I started off with a bang. I didn’t release it until 2011, along with volume one of my Narcoleptic Vampire Series. I spent the next few years balancing a legal career and motherhood with my creative aspirations. I wrote and self-published more raw, risque books, spoke on panels, vended at comic cons, collaborated with authors in anthologies, built social media platforms… until it just wasn’t enough. I’d always wanted my stories to be on the big screen, but I was disillusioned about how breaking into Hollywood really worked. During the pandemic, a fellow author and I began the S*x & Horror Podcast, and I wrote four TV/film scripts. In 2022, I founded Spicy Dicey Productions with the intent to make visually entertaining content.

Type of products and services I provide: Currently, erotic sci-fi fantasy horror books, short stories, scripts, and five seasons of the S*x & Horror podcast. In the very near future, TV/films. So far, I’ve hired various marketing and promotion teams and commissioned artistic pieces. I hope to create more jobs for creatives in front of and behind the camera, especially for women of color.

What problems I solve for clients or what sets me apart from others: We don’t see a lot of black women in erotic sci-fi fantasy and horror spaces. I want to change that. I’m here to provide inspiration for those that are interested in creating but are afraid to, because they don’t feel they will be accepted. I’m also here for readers and viewers, who are tired of the same ol’ characters. If someone wants an inclusive cast, I got them covered. It’s part of my mission. Likewise, for those who like bold, adult storytelling.

What am I most proud of: My tenacity. Nothing about anything I’ve ever done in my life has been easy. It seems I was destined to take the paths less trodden. There have been so many valleys, so many hardships. So many times I wanted to quit. I just refuse to. I continue to forge through. I must be an example for other black women. I persevere, no matter what comes my way. It may be stupid, but I’m proud of never giving up. People are watching. My children are watching.

Main things I want potential fans to know about me, my brand, and my work: My work isn’t for everyone, just like I’m not for everyone. I write the stories I feel inspired to write. That’s it. I’m not looking to convert anyone who’s not interested in the subject matters. I’m only interested in finding my people. You know who you are. If vampires scare you, my vampire series isn’t for you. If you find profanity offensive, my stories are going to offend you. If you prefer s*x scenes to be closed-door in a book, you’re going to be skipping a lot of pages, so save your money and buy someone else’s books. I have to follow so many rules when it comes to my professional work. I do the exact opposite when it comes to my creative work. I have to be true to myself. Same goes for my podcast and upcoming TV/films.

That being said, if you’re open to giving my work a shot, I appreciate it. If it’s a hard “no” for you, but you know of someone else who may enjoy it, please pass the information on. There have been way too many times that I thought I should tone something down in my work, only to read or watch something else that was praised for doing even more. So, I know there’s an audience for my work, I just have to keep putting myself out there to find it.

Lastly, if my work isn’t your cup of tea, no worries. I hope you are still inspired to be the best version of yourself and go after what you want in life, just like I am.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I first started self-publishing, I commissioned designers to do my book covers. There was a lot of back and forth to get them to understand my vision. There were lots of hits and misses. A few years in, I discovered pre-made covers. Game changer for me. I love browsing already made covers, selecting the one closely aligned to my vision, submitting tweaks, and voila–done. Less time, less expense.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing an idea turn into something tangible. It all starts in my head, then it becomes notes. After much tolling and editing, it becomes a finished product that I share with others. Like having a baby.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://diceygrenorbooks.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/diceygrenor
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/diceygrenor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diceygrenor
• Other: http://patreon.com/diceygrenor http://tiktok.com/diceygrenor

Image Credits
TWR Photography